A pair of twin sisters in Nottingham have made medical history after discovering they have different fathers, a phenomenon experts say is exceptionally rare. Michelle Osbourne and Lavinia Osbourne, both 49, uncovered the truth through DNA testing decades after their birth in 1976. Although conceived naturally, carried in the same womb, and born minutes apart, the sisters are technically half-siblings rather than biological twins.

Three people have died, and at least one confirmed case of Hantavirus has been reported among passengers aboard a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday. According to the WHO, six individuals have been affected in the incident. Three fatalities have been recorded, while another patient is in intensive care in South Africa. Although the WHO did not officially name the vessel, sources familiar with the situation identifie

BAMAKO — In the pre-dawn darkness of April 25, 2026, the Sahel region witnessed one of the most sophisticated military offensives in modern African history. Simultaneously striking five major cities, Bamako, Gao, Kidal, Kita, and Sévaré, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 fighters launched a coordinated push that aimed to topple the Malian government. But as the smoke clears, the narrative of the attack reveals a complex web of geopolitical shifting, a "Syrian-style" insurgency st

Police in South Africa have arrested a 69-year-old medical doctor in KwaZulu-Natal over allegations that he sexually assaulted four female patients under his care at a hospital in Madadeni. The senior practitioner was taken into custody on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, by detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, working in collaboration with officers from the Madadeni police station.

The Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa has dismissed viral claims that it is offering “free deportation” services to Zimbabwean nationals, describing the reports as false, misleading, and not sanctioned by any official authority. In a strongly worded statement issued on 28 April 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in South Africa said it had noted with concern the circulation of social media messages suggesting that citizens could access free transport and deportat

PRETORIA – The Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa has issued a safety advisory to Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa following reports of protests targeting foreign nationals, urging citizens to remain vigilant and limit movement. The warning, released on 28 April 2026 via the embassy’s official X account, comes amid growing concern over demonstrations reported in major cities, particularly Johannesburg and Cape Town.

JOHANNESBURG – Three foreign national shop owners were shot and killed in a brazen daylight attack inside a McDonald's outlet in the Johannesburg central business district, sparking renewed concern over violent crime in South Africa’s economic hub. The shooting occurred on Monday, 27 April 2026, at the corner of Jeppe and Smal Streets in Johannesburg, where the victims were reportedly having breakfast when gunmen stormed the restaurant and opened fire.

EZULWINI, Eswatini – A member of the royal military guard assigned to protect visiting dignitaries during King Mswati III’s 40-year reign celebrations has died in a suspected suicide incident that shocked attendees. Lieutenant Colani Mdluli, who was part of a high-level security detail for visiting Southern African Development Community Heads of State, allegedly shot himself at the Royal Villas on Sunday morning.

BAMAKO — The Sahel region is reeling following a wave of unprecedented, coordinated attacks across Mali this weekend, which claimed the life of Defence Minister General Sadio Camara. The offensive, described by analysts as the most significant security breach in the country’s modern history, has plunged the junta-led nation into a state of acute instability.

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s acting police minister has vowed swift arrests and prosecutions following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, after Ghana formally summoned Pretoria’s envoy to demand urgent action.

LAGOS — In the complex narrative of Nigeria’s political and economic history, few figures have maintained as enduring—or as controversial—an influence as Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury. Over decades of political upheaval, transitions, and investigations, Chagoury has managed to remain at the center of the nation's most significant infrastructure and business developments.

JOHANNESBURG — South African prosecutors are requesting significant prison sentences for Chautunga Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze in a high-profile criminal case involving serious firearms and violent conduct charges. The State’s recommended sentencing reflects a broader judicial effort to send a strong deterrent message against violent crime and the illegal misuse of firearms within the country.

An undercover investigation by BBC News has uncovered a sophisticated shadow industry in the United Kingdom, where rogue immigration advisers and legal figures are allegedly charging thousands of pounds to help migrants fabricate asylum claims by posing as gay.

A South African man has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating an unusual but elaborate fraud scheme in which he sold ordinary gravel as “authentic moon rocks,” claiming they were sourced from a secret private lunar mission.

Pretoria – A Zimbabwean national has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in South Africa after fatally striking a fellow Zimbabwean with a stone during a dispute over a missing mobile phone. Leonard Khoza (42) was convicted by the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court for the murder of Aluwisi Verengere, who died after being hit on the head during an altercation on 4 February 2023. The court also imposed an additional two-year sentence for immigration violations, with both sente

Pretoria – A court in South Africa has ordered the return of the body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, just hours after the Zambian government announced it had taken possession of his remains. The ruling marks the latest twist in a prolonged legal and political dispute between the administration of Hakainde Hichilema and Lungu’s family over funeral arrangements, nearly 10 months after his death in South Africa. Reports indicate that Zambian authorities had earlier sec

Global – A major new study presented at ESCMID Global 2026 has found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can significantly reverse accelerated biological ageing in people living with HIV, offering new hope for improved long-term health outcomes. Researchers reported that effective ART reduced biological ageing by an average of 3.7 years, a breakthrough that could reshape how clinicians monitor HIV treatment and patient wellbeing.

Debel, Lebanon – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has sentenced two soldiers to 30 days of military detention after one of them was filmed striking a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon. The military said both soldiers, one who carried out the act and another who photographed it, will also be removed from combat duty following an internal inquiry. The individuals have not been publicly identified.

Global – The head of the world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex Berhad, has warned that prices could rise by up to 30% or more if ongoing tensions involving Iran continue to disrupt global supply chains. Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said production costs have surged sharply due to rising raw material prices and shipping disruptions linked to the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

As Zimbabwe ramps up its diplomatic engagement to secure the UNSC seat, the successful mobilization of support from key partners like Eritrea is seen as a critical component of its broader foreign policy strategy to amplify African voices on the international stage.